Mineral, nutritional, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and agricultural compositions and methods for producing the same

ABSTRACT

Mineral, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, agricultural, nutraceutical, and other compositions are produced using a mineral composition containing minimal concentrations of cadmium, lead, arsenic, and mercury and containing relatively high concentrations of micro and macro mineral elements, of rare earth elements, of calcium, and of silica. The mineral concentrations are produced by processing naturally occurring clay soil to concentrate mineral elements naturally occurring in the soil.

Related Applications/Patents & Incorporation by Reference

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/229,340, filed Mar. 28, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,044,417, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/725,729, filed Dec. 2, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,709,497. The contentof these earlier filed applications is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety.

This invention pertains to mineral, cosmetic, pharmaceutical,agricultural, nutraceutical, and other compositions and methods forproducing the same.

More particularly, this invention pertains to a method for producingcompositions including an unusually large number of naturally occurringminerals.

In a further respect, the invention pertains to a mineral compositionthat has an unusually low pH but that does not irritate dermal tissueswhen applied thereto.

In another respect, the invention pertains to nutritional, cosmetic, andpharmaceutical compositions that include a significant number of mineralelements and that facilitate delivery of the minerals into the body of ahuman being or animal.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of an extraction process for soil.

The following definitions are utilized herein.

Chemical element. Any of more than 100 fundamental metallic andnonmetallic substances that consist of atoms of only one kind and thateither singly or in combination constitute all matter, most of thesesubstances lighter in weight than and including uranium being found innature and the rest being produced artificially by causing changes inthe atom nucleus.

Clay. A natural or synthetic colloidal lusterless earthy compositionthat includes tiny sheet-like layered particles of alumina and/or silicathat are less than about 0.002 millimeters in size, that is generallyplastic when moist, and that, when naturally occurring, includesdecomposed igneous and/or metamorphic rocks. Most clays have a pH in therange of about 4.5 to 8.5. Natural and synthetic clays include mineralelements. Clays can, in additional to having particles less than fivemicrons in size, include particles having a size greater than fivemicrons.

Leonardite. A soft, loose-textured coal that has low BTU value.Leonardite is a humate; can include up to 70% by weight minerals; can beformed from lignite; can occur naturally as the result of not beingheated and pressurized over time to the extent necessary to produceanthracite, lignite, or bituminous coal; and, can include compost as acomponent.

Mineral. Any naturally occurring chemical element or compound. A mineralhas a characteristic crystal structure and chemical composition or rangeof compositions.

Mineral element. A chemical element that occurs naturally as or in amineral. A mineral element may be produced using synthetic ormanufacturing processes; however, each mineral element does occurnaturally as or in a mineral.

Rare earth or rare earth element. Any one of a group of metallicelements with atomic numbers 58 through 71, including cerium,praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, euro0pium, gadolinium,terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium.In nature, rare earth elements are bound in combination with nonmetallicelements in the form of phosphates, carbonates, fluorides, silicates,and tantalates.

Sand. A loose material consisting of small but easily distinguishablegrains usually less than two millimeters in diameter and more than about0.02 millimeters in diameter, most commonly of quartz, resulting fromthe disintegration of rocks.

Silt. Unconsolidated or loose sedimentary material whose constituentrock particles are finer than grains of sand and larger than clayparticles, specifically, material consisting of mineral soil particlesranging in diameter from about 0.02 to 0.002 millimeters. Mineralelements are essential to life. The body however does not manufacture asingle mineral element although all tissue and internal fluids containthem from bones, teeth, soft tissue, muscle, blood and nerve cells. Theusefulness of mineral elements and of trace mineral elements inbiological systems has been scientifically and medically established.Their complimentary function for enhancing nutrient exchange, improvedconductivity of cellular transport, support essential osmotic balance ofevery tissue, fluid, cell and organ, and play a role on everything frommuscle response, to transmission of messages through the nervous system,the production of hormones, digestion, and utilization of nutrients.They play a significant role in disease prevention not only in thefunctions described above, but on a genetic fundamental level, asbiological systems require mineral elements to effectively andaccurately program DNA synthesis required for cell replication. Anydefective programming in DNA synthesis by deficient mineral elementfunction could lead to abnormal replication and alternatively promotedisease state or death.

The presence in the body of many mineral elements is the result ofsupplementation through diet. Macro mineral elements are those that thebody requires in greater quantities than 100 mg daily, while Micromineral elements are those that the body requires less than 100 mgdaily. Food consumption, particularly of fruits and vegetables, is theonly means to supplement vital mineral elements to the body. Theintroduction of processed food and the insurgence of soil mineraldepletion have created a food market less apt to derive and deliver themineral element requirements that were once delivered only byconsumption. Today's synthetic vitamin and mineral element supplementmarket (which is valued in the billions of dollars) has been establishedon the basis that the human body is not getting all the necessarymineral elements through normal food consumption.

Soil depletion phenomena are real and measurable. Restoration of soilinvolves methods of crop re-cycling and use or organic fertilizers tohelp reconstitute the mineral content of soil. The use of organicfertilizers has been increasing in usage over the last three decades.Their increased usage is the result of environmental and agriculturalconcerns for moving towards a chemical-free and pesticide-free method ofcrop production coupled with a means for replenishment that canalleviate the soil depletion of minerals on farms overburdened bydecades of use.

Soil taxonomy and the many sub-classifications yield earth matter thatcollectively includes all known natural minerals. Soils vary in theirmineral content with some having predominant concentration a certainminerals and trace minerals. The minerals can be concentrated from thesoil using extraction techniques known in the art and are usuallyidentified and quantified by analytical equipment.

In all cases, soil classification and the extraction techniques appliedto capture or recover minerals are the limiting factors in maximizingthe total number and amounts of minerals identified and quantified. Mostextraction techniques fail to capture a wide spectrum of inherentminerals found in soil.

One facet of the invention pertains to extraction techniques used togather, isolate, and concentrate specific mineral elements. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,093 Kaminsky and U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,885 Bailliedescribe hot water extraction of tar sands yielding heavy minerals atspecific high concentrations of titanium and zirconium.

Clay soil is one of the three principal types of general soilclassifications, the other two being sandy soil and loamy soil. Mostsoils include silt.

The extraction techniques described herein relates in part to specificsoils and soil combination compositions having taxonomic classificationsincluding clay soil, sandy soil, and/or clay-sand soil comprising acombination of clay soil and sandy soil. Sandy soil typically isdescribed as silicates. Soils classified as clay soils contain asignificant percentage of clay in their composition, typically at leasttwenty percent by weight.

Soil includes very coarse, coarse, fine, very fine, and medium sizeparticle sizes. The coarse particles ranges in size from 0.5-1.0 mm. Thefine particles are from about 0.10 mm to 0.25 mm in size. The mediumparticles are from 0.25-0.50 mm in size. Very coarse particles aregreater than about 1.0 mm in size. The very fine particles are less thanabout 0.10 mm in size.

The percent sand in clay-sand soil typically by definition equals or isgreater than 20% by weight. The percent of silt in clay-sand soiltypically by definition equals or is greater than 20% by weight.

Two samples of selected soil were analyzed by A&L laboratories inMemphis, Tenn. with the following results:

Soil Sample Classification % Clay % Sand % Silt Site # 4 Clay 22.5 36.540.9 Site # 5 Clay 23.1 24.4 52.5The soils from Sites 4 and/or 5 or other sites were collected andsubjected to the aqueous extraction process described below to produceboth a liquid mineral element composition containing mineral elementsand to produce a dry powder mineral element composition. The dry powdermineral element composition is produced by drying the liquid mineralelement composition.

Both the liquid mineral element composition and the dry powder mineralelement composition capture and recover similar mineral elements toconstitute a comprehensive mineral composition. Both liquid and drypowder mineral element compositions produced by the procedures describedherein preferably, but not necessarily, contain a minimum of 8 macromineral elements and a minimum of 60 micro mineral elements.

Physical testing and analysis was also conducted on the liquid and drymineral element compositions. Typical specifications of liquid extractsolution range in color but preferably are from yellow to amber brownand contain between 1 to 10% by weight of mineral elements, mostpreferably 3-5%. The solution is acidic with a pH ranging from 2.5-4.5,most preferably from 2.5-3.5. The liquid extract can be dried to producean anhydrous powder. The anhydrous powder presently ranges in color fromlight-off-white to brown, but preferably from yellow to golden amber, isinsoluble in any non-polar solvent such as hydrophobic liquids (oil andfats), is insoluble in alcohol, and is readily soluble, yetnon-swelling, in water and hydro-alcoholic solutions at concentrationsof 1 to 5%, most preferably at concentrations of 3-5% by weight. The drypowder is partially soluble or capable of being partially suspended inpolar solvent in supersaturated solutions. The dry powder can also beeasily suspended in non-polar solvents.

As stated above, both liquid and dry mineral element compositionsproduced by the procedures described herein will contain a minimum of 8macro mineral elements and a minimum of 60 micro mineral elements. Themicro mineral elements include ltrace and rare earth mineral elements.

For example, the dry mineral element composition will contain atconcentrations ranging from 0.0001-20.00% by weight, most preferablyfrom 0.001%-10% by weight, the macro mineral elements of calcium,chlorine, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, silicon, andsodium; and, will preferably contain at least sixty micro mineralelements at concentrations ranging from 0.00001-3.0% by weight, mostpreferably from 0.0001-1% by weight. The micro mineral elements includealuminum, antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, bismuth, boron, bromine,cadmium, cerium, cesium, chromium, cobalt, copper, dysprosium, erbium,europium, fluorine, gadolinium, gold, hafnium, holmium, iodine, indium,iridium, iron, lanthanum, lead, lithium, lutetium, mercury, molybdenum,neodymium, nickel, niobium, palladium, platinum, praseodymium, rhenium,rhodium, rubidium, ruthenium, samarium, scandium, selenium, silver,strontium, sulfur, tantalum, terbium, tellurium, thallium, thorium,thulium, tin, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, ytterbium, yttrium, zinc,and zirconium.

Since the process described herein normally does not introduce anyminerals as part of the extraction process, it can be established thatany minerals identified and quantified by the process described hereinhave been captured and recovered from the initial soil matter or thestarting raw material. Therefore, it can be established that theoriginal clay or other soil that processed through the extraction methoddescribed herein likely include aluminum silicates and other metalsilicates in nature which has been naturally enriched with multipledetectable minerals. It can also be established that if a mineralelement is identified and quantified in the aqueous liquid extract, itwill be identified and quantified in the dry powdered extract in muchhigher concentrations as a result of drying process or volume reduction.

For example, a lot produced using the soil and extractions methodsdescribed herein was tested by independent analytical testing forconducting chemical analysis using standard techniques of identificationand quantification for both dry and liquid forms of the comprehensivemineral composition. The results of testing performed at Teledyne WahChang Laboratories in Huntsville, Ala., utilizing scientificallyaccepted and standard equipment such as Titration, Inductively CoupledPlasma, Mass Spectrometry, and Atomic Absorption equipment resulted inthe mineral element quantification data set forth below in TABLE I foran aqueous mineral element composition and from the dry mineral elementcomposition that resulted when the aqueous mineral element compositionwas dried to produce a powder.

TABLE I Mineral Extract Composition Concentration in aqueousConcentration Element liquid composition in dry powder Macro MineralElements Calcium 2900 ppm   8% Chlorine 170 mg/ml  0.84%* Magnesium 460ppm 0.95% Phosphorous 0.2 g/L 0.43% Potassium 220 mg/L  1.2% Silicon 130mg/L 0.36% Sodium 720 mg/L  2.0% Micro Mineral Elements Aluminum 540 ppm0.65% Antimony 460 ppb 16.0 ppm Arsenic 11 ppm 3.1 ppm Barium 340 ppb11.0 ppm Beryllium 0.29 ppm .01 ppm Bismuth <50 ppb <1.00 ppm Boron 2.0mg/L 72.0 ppm Bromine *Present as part of Chlorine assay Cadmium <50 ppb1.10 ppm Total Organic Carbon 12 g/L Trace Cerium 1600 ppb 68.00 ppmCesium 82 ppb 2.00 ppm Chromium 1.8 ppm 5.00 ppm Cobalt 0.25 ppm 1.00ppm Copper 0.09 ppm <1.00 ppm Dysprosium 230 ppb 9.00 ppm Erbium 150 ppb6.00 ppm Europium <50 ppb 2.00 ppm Fluorine *Present as part of Chlorineassay Gadolinium 220 ppb 9:00 ppm Gallium 70 ppb 2.40 ppm Germanium <50ppb <1.00 ppm Gold <50 ppm <1.00 ppm Hafnium <0.5 mg/L 5.00 ppm Holmium<50 ppb 2.00 ppm Iodine *Present as part of Chlorine assay Indium <50ppb Trace Iron 730 ppm 28.00 ppm Lanthanum 650 ppb 28.00 ppm Lead <50ppb <1.00 ppm Lithium 0.9 mg/L <1.00 ppm Lutetium <50 ppb <1.00 ppmMercury Trace <1.00 ppm Molybdenum 3200 ppb 120.00 ppm Neodymium 1000ppb 45.00 ppm Nickel 0.74 ppm 2.00 ppm Niobium 96 ppb 3.00 ppm Palladium<500 ppb <1.00 ppm Platinum <50 ppb <1.00 ppm Praseodymium 290 ppb 10.00ppm Rhenium <50 ppb <1.00 ppm Rhodium <50 ppb <1.00 ppm Rubidium 360 ppb11.00 ppm Ruthenium <50 ppb <1.00 ppm Samarium 250 ppb 10.00 ppmScandium <400 ppb 4.00 ppm Selenium 0.63 mg/L 21.00 ppm Silver <0.02 ppm<5.00 ppm Strontium 14000 ppb 420.00 ppm Sulfur 1.1 g/L  1.8% Tantalum<50 ppb <1.00 ppm Terbium <50 ppb 2.00 ppm Tellurium <50 ppb <1.00 ppmThallium <50 ppb 1.00 ppm Thorium 640 ppm 22.00 ppm Thulium <50 ppb 1.00ppm Tin <50 ppb <1.00 ppm Titanium 9.34 ppm 210.00 ppm Tungsten 52 ppb17.00 ppm Vanadium 4.3 ppm 14.00 ppm Ytterbium 140 ppb 6.00 ppm Yttrium1300 ppb 61.00 ppm Zinc 1.2 ppm 14.00 ppm Zirconium 2.0 mg/L 62.00 ppm

The mineral element compositions set forth above in Table I wereproduced from naturally occurring soil the analysis of which isreflected below in Table II.

TABLE II Analysis of Naturally Occurring Soil Macro Mineral ElementsConcentration in ppm by weight unless Element noted as % (for weightpercent) Silicon 25.0%  Aluminum 9.3% Potassium 4.8% Magnesium 0.83% Sulfur 1.6% Iron 1.6% Calcium 4.1% Titanium 0.23%  Sodium 0.138% Manganese 150 Gallium 25 Molybdenum 61 Germanium 25 Iodine 7 Bromine 5.2Tungsten 8.1 Hafnium 2.0 Tantalum 0.50 Zirconium 10 Arsenic 0.2 Antimony29 Selenium 4.1 Zinc 20 Samarium 3.5 Holmium 1.1 Terbium .62 Iridium .51Lutetium .45 Chromium 70 Lanthanum 18 Ruthenium 7.8 Yttrium 1.2 Indium.38 Lead (under) 17 Niobium 2.89 Carbon .19 Hydrogen .05 Nitrogen .03Scandium 3.7 Cobalt 4.8 Ytterbium 1.4 Strontium 240 Barium 390 Gold .68Europium .49 Neodymium 20 Cerium 40 Cesium 183 Thorium Above 100 UraniumAbove 100 Nickel 60 Beryllium .10 Bismuth 14.3 Boron 7 Cadmium 1.12Chloride 6100 Copper 2.2 Fluoride 3.85 Lithium 1.44 Mercury 0.166Palladium 0.74 Phosphate 320 Platinum 0.08 Rhodium 0.44 Rubidium 36.5Silver 0.3 Tellurium 0.1 Thulium 0.65 Tin 0.44 Vanadium 8 Dysprosium 4.0Praseodymium 2.0 Thallium 10 Rhenium 1.0 Erbium 2.0 Oxygen 0.2

Once a desirable naturally occurring soil or soil combination isobtained, the soil(s) is subjected to the extraction process shown inFIG. 1 and described below in more detail. The selection of anappropriate soil or soil combination is, however, important in thepractice of the invention and this process is now described. It isunderstood that it is possible to incorporate synthetically produced“soils” or compositions to produce soils used in the invention; however,the use of naturally occurring soils is presently preferred and it isthe use of such naturally occurring soils that is now described indetail.

Clay soils, mixtures of clay soils, or mixtures of clay soil(s) andleonhardite are presently preferred in the practice of the invention.One reason such soil combinations are preferred is that such soils canbe high in the mineral elements deemed important in the practice of theinvention. As noted, it is preferred that mineral element compositionsproduced in accordance with the invention include at least eight macromineral elements and at least sixty micro mineral elements.

The first step in determining whether a clay soil is acceptable is todetermine of arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium are each present inacceptably small concentrations. It is presently preferred that theconcentration of each of these elements be less than the concentrationsshown below in Table III.

TABLE III Maximum Desired Concentrations of Toxic Elements MaximumElement Desired Soil Arsenic 0.2 ppm Lead 0.17 ppb Mercury 0.116 ppmCadmium 1.12 ppmTo achieve the desired concentrations noted above, a soil that has agreater than desired concentration of the toxic elements can be admixedwith one or more soils containing a lesser than desired concentration ofthe toxic elements. Further, the maximum desired concentrations of thefour toxic elements noted above can vary depending on the intended enduse of the mineral element composition produced by the invention. Forexample, if the mineral element composition is intended to be used inproducts ingested by human beings, the acceptable levels of the toxicelements normally will be less than if the mineral element compositionwill be used in agricultural products.

If the soil, or soil combination, has appropriately low concentrationsof the four toxic elements arsenic, lead, mercury, and cadmium, the soilis next tested to determine if acceptable concentrations of rare earthelements are present in the soil or soil combination. Desired levels ofrare earth elements are set forth below in Table IV.

TABLE IV Preferred Minimum Concentrations of Selected Rare EarthElements in Naturally Occurring Soil Element Preferred Minimum SoilConcentration in ppm Cerium 40 Praseodymium 2 Neodymium 20 Samarium 3.5Europium 0.49 Terbium 0.62 Dysprosium 4 Holmium 1 Erbium 2 Thulium 0.65Ytterbium 1.2 Lutetium 0.45

The concentration of the elements listed in Table IV can vary asdesired, but, as noted, it is desirable to have at least theconcentration of each element as noted in Table IV. A lanthanumconcentration of at least eighteen ppm and a scandium concentration ofat least three and seven-tenths ppm are also preferred. Concentrationsof promethium and gadolinium are also desirable. In the practice of theinvention, at least ten rare earth elements are present in the soil,preferably at least twelve, and more preferably all of the rare earthelements along with lanthanum and scandium. The presence of most or allof the rare earth elements in the soil, and in the mineral elementcompositions derived from the soil, is believed to be important inimproving the efficacy of the mineral element composition when ingestedby the body or when transdermal absorbed by the body.

The clay soil or soil combination also includes at least 5% by weightcalcium, preferably at least 10% by weight calcium, and most preferablyat least 20% by weight calcium. Concentrations of calcium of 25% byweight or greater are acceptable.

The clay soil or soil combination also includes at least 5% by weightsilica, preferably at least 10% by weight silica, and most preferably atleast 20% by weight silica. Concentrations of silica of 25% by weight orgreater are acceptable.

The clay soil or soil combination also includes at least 0.25% by weightphosphorous, preferably at least 1% by weight phosphorous, and mostpreferably at least 2% by weight phosphorous.

Leonardite is a valuable mineral source in producing soils that aresubjected to the extraction process illustrated in FIG. 1.

Once a clay soil or clay soil combination is obtained that contains therequisite mineral elements, the clay soil is subjected to the extractionprocess of FIG. 1. The following example describes the extractionprocess by way of illustration, and not limitation of the invention.

Example of Extraction Process

In FIG. 1, 12,000 pounds of water purified via reverse osmosis oranother desired purification process, 200 pounds of citric acid, and5000 pounds of clay soil are added to the mixing tank 10. The amount ofcitric acid (or of phosphoric acid or other edible acid(s)) used can bein the range of 0.25% to 7.5% of the weight of water utilized, buttypically is in the range of 1.0% to 2.0%. The purified water isproduced using any desired water purification technique; however, waterpurified by reverse osmosis is presently utilized. The water—citricacid—soil slurry is gently agitated (for example, with a blade slowlyrotating at from one to ten RPM) for about an hour, although theagitation time can vary as desired. The agitation is preferablynon-cavitating and is carried out without forming bubbles in themixture.

The slurry from tank 10 is directed, as indicated by arrow 16, into asettling tank 11 to permit particulate to settle downwardly out of theslurry. The slurry is maintained in the settling tank 11 for any desiredlength of time, but this length of time is presently in the range ofabout one to ten days. As the length of time that the slurry ismaintained in the settling tank 11 increases, the amount of liquid thatcan be drawn out of the tank and sent to cooling tank 12 or concentrator13 increases and the amount of solids that have settled to the bottom ofthe tank increases. Chemicals or any other desired method can beutilized to facilitate the settling of solids from slurry directed intotank 10. After the slurry has resided in settling tank 11 for thedesired period of time, liquid is drawn out of the tank to cooling tank12, or directly to the concentrator 13. The solids on the bottom of tank11 can be directed to tank 10 to be reprocessed, can be discarded, orcan be otherwise utilized.

Cooling tank 12 cools the fluid from tank 11 to a temperature in therange of forty to seventy degrees F. (5 to 21 degrees C.). Tank 12 (and14) is presently cooled with a refrigeration system to cool the fluid intank 12. Consequently, when fluid contacts the inner cooled wallsurfaces of tank 12, the wall surfaces transport heat away from and coolthe fluid. Any desired system can be utilized to cool tank 12 (and 14)and/or to cool the fluid in the tank. For example, a coil can be placedin the fluid and cool the fluid without directly cooling the tank wallswith a refrigeration or other system. The fluid from tank 11 is cooledto prevent or minimize yeast and mold growth. The fluid in tank 11normally is heated due to the ambient temperature and not due to anychemical or mechanical action that takes places in tank 11. Cooledliquid from tank 12 is, as indicated by arrow 18, directed from tank 12to concentrator 13.

The concentrator 13 comprises a thin film composite reverse osmosissystem in which fluid is directed into a plurality of long, cylindrical,hollow liquid permeable membrane tubes under pressure; and, in whichfluid is forced radially out through the liquid permeable cylindricalmembrane wall to increase the concentration of the mineral elements inthe fluid. Evaporation is an alternate approach to increasing theconcentration of mineral elements in the fluid. A reverse osmosis systemis preferable to evaporation because it requires less energy, andbecause the water that passes radially through the membrane is a sourceof clean usable water.

One preferred reverse osmosis system includes eight hollow tubes or“vessels” that are about four inches in diameter and forty inches long.Each tube houses three concentric cylindrical membranes. Thepermeability flow rate is approximately 80% to 95% rejection, dependingon the feed rate and the concentration of mineral elements in the fluidbeing treated. The spacing between the three concentric membranes isabout ¼inch. There are three ring couplers and one end plug per tube.The maximum pressure allowed by the cylindrical membranes is about 600psig. A pressure of between 300 to 450 psig is recommended and isnormally used. The membranes are to be utilized at a temperature of 135degrees F. (57 degrees C.) or less. The temperature of the fluid and themembrane is, however, typically maintained in the range of 55 degrees F.to 65 degrees F. (12 to 20 degrees C.). The fluid from tank 11 isprocessed by passing it sequentially through each of the eight tubes.

If desired, concentration systems other than reverse osmosis systems canbe utilized. Such other systems are not believed comparable to a reverseosmosis system in terms of cost and efficiency.

In FIG. 1 the “slurry” by product produced by the concentrator 13comprises clean usable water with a low concentration of mineralelements. The aqueous concentrate liquid produced by concentrator 13 is,as indicated by arrow 19, directed to cooling tank 14 or directly todryer 15. Tank 14 cools the concentrate liquid to 40 degrees F. to 70degrees F. (5 degrees to 20 degrees C.) to prevent the growth and yeastand mold.

The concentrate liquid produced by concentrator 13 has a pH ofapproximately 3. The concentrate liquid typically includes from three totwelve percent by weight mineral elements, i.e. if the mineral elementsare separated from the concentrate liquid, a dry material is producedthat has a weight equaling about 3% to 12% by weight of the concentrateliquid. The pH of the concentrate liquid is adjusted by varying theamount of citric acid or other edible acid and/or alkaline or acidicsoil added to the mixing tank 10 and is in the range of pH 2.0 to pH5.0, preferably pH 2.5 to pH 3.5. The pH of the concentrate liquid (anddry powder or other material produced therefrom) preferably is less thanpH 4.5. Table I herein illustrates the mineral element present in oneconcentrate liquid produced by concentrator 13. If necessary, theconcentrate liquid is recirculated back through concentrator 13 toincrease the mineral element content in the liquid. As the proportion ofmineral elements increases, the propensity of mineral elements toprecipitate from the concentrate liquid increases. A mineral elementconcentration of at least eight percent is presently preferred forinjection into dryer 15. A mineral element concentration in the range ofthree to twelve percent or more is beneficial because many prior artprocesses currently only produce a fluid having a mineral elementconcentration of about two percent.

Any desired drying system can be utilized. The present drying apparatusconsists of a tower into which the concentrate fluid is sprayed. Air inthe tower is heated. The concentrate fluid is sprayed in a pattern thatcauses the spray to swirl down the sides of the tower. As the spraytravels down the sides of the tower, the water evaporates, producingpowder particles including mineral elements. The powder falls downwardlyto the bottom of the tower. Moist air travels upwardly through thecenter of the tower and is directed 23 to a bag house 22. The moist airenters elongate air-permeable hollow generally cylindrical bags in thebag house. The air travels outwardly through the walls of the bags andleaves behind powder particles on the inside surfaces of the bag. Thebags are shaken each thirty seconds to cause the powder on the innersurfaces of the bag to fall downwardly for collection. Table Iillustrates the mineral element concentration in the powder produced indryer 15 when the liquid mineral element concentrate having thecomposition set forth in Table I was directed into dryer 15. The drypowder mineral element composition of Table I in aqueous solution has apH of about 3.0.

In one spray system utilized in the dryer 15, the fluid concentrate isdirected into dryer 15 under a pressure of about 2500 psi. The orificesize of the spray nozzles utilized is about 0.027 inch. The spray angleof the nozzle is 70 degrees and the average droplet size is about 75microns.

The areas of application and product usage for the mineral elementcompositions of the invention include nutritional, personal care, andagricultural products. For example, in the area of nutritional products,the mineral element compositions resulting from the processes describedherein can provide a broad spectrum mineral supplement to supplementminerals not derived from food consumption.

For example, the macro mineral elements found in the mineral elementcompositions of the invention are typically made up of all known macromineral elements. These macro minerals are essential to bodily functionsand are dependent on each other in the body and have been indicative forpreventing disease. As a specific example, zinc acts as a cofactor tomany enzymatic reactions such as DNA and RNA polymerase for thesynthesis of proteins. Calcium is also a cofactor to the enzymesresponsible for fat and protein metabolism. Calcium is believed to helpprevent osteoporosis and colon cancer. Sodium and potassium areimportant for nerve transmission, muscle contraction, and balance offluids in the body. Phosphorous is the second most abundant mineral inthe body, after calcium, and plays many important roles in heartregularity, nerve impulses, and kidney function

The trace or rare earth minerals also play an important role in bodyfunctions and have also been indicative of preventing disease. Forexample, copper helps make red blood cells, plays a role in bodilyenzymes, and is important for the absorption of iron. Fluorine helpsform bones and teeth, and helps make teeth decay-resistant. Irondeficiency is common throughout the world. Women are especially at risk,since they lose iron in menstrual blood. Deficiency can lead to anemia,with symptoms of fatigue, weakness and ill health. Iodine deficiency canresult in goiter, the enlargement of the thyroid gland. Selenium iscurrently being investigated for its potential to prevent cancer.

In certain cases, supplementation of certain mineral elements can bringabout improvements in disease states. For example, in the case ofdiabetes chromium, magnesium, and vanadium have been documented toimproved diabetic disease state. Chromium is needed to make glucosetolerance factor, which helps insulin improve its action. Studiessuggest that a deficiency in magnesium may worsen the blood sugarcontrol in type 2 diabetes. Magnesium interrupts insulin secretion inthe pancreas and increases insulin resistance in the body's tissues.Evidence suggests that a deficiency of Magnesium may contribute tocertain diabetes complications. Vanadium has been clinically proven tonormalize blood glucose levels in animals with type 1 and type 2diabetes.

As people age, the ability to metabolize or absorb certain mineralelements decreases. People over age 65 have a greater risk of zincdeficiency due to a reduced ability to absorption, leading to otherdisease states. Zinc supplements may be required to avoid symptoms ofdeficiency, including anorexia, slow wound healing, impaired tastesensation or reduced immune function.

The use of a nutritional supplement in tablets, soft capsules, bars,processed foods or beverages which contains the small concentrations ofthe mineral element compositions described herein could be beneficial tohealth if used to supply sub-toxic dosages of certain mineral elementsthat can pose a toxic risk. An Acute Oral Toxicity animal studyconducted at Northview Pacific Labs in Hercules, Calif. indicated thatacute dosages of 1 gram of dry mineral element composition per kilogramof weight of an individual classified the Comprehensive MineralComposition posed no toxicity risk to an individual. This qualifies theproducts produced by the processes of the invention as a uniquecomposition that delivers a substantial natural balance of mineralsthrough oral supplementation in a single or multiple dosages for humanand veterinary product consumption.

The following examples are provided by way of explanation, and notlimitation, of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Energy Powdered Nutritional Composition

Component % w/w Cocoa 26.00 Vanillin 1.00 Sugar 15.00 Lecithin 2.0Ground Oat 12.00 Soy Isolate 40.00 Dry (Powder) Mineral ElementComposition of Table I 2.00 Gum Arabic Spray Dry 2.00Procedure:

-   1. Dry-blend the ingredients above to prepare the nutritional    formula composition.-   2. In use of the composition, recommend 1 ounce of the composition    per 8 ounces of cold milk.-   3. Pack and preserve at 5-8° C. for use within 24 hours.    Mineral content of 1 Kilo of the Energy Powdered Nutritional    Composition delivers no less than one ppm of Macro Minerals    consisting of a blend of Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese,    Phosphorous, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, and no less that 0.0001 ppm    of Micro Minerals consisting of a blend of Aluminum, Antimony,    Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium,    Cerium, Cesium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium,    Europium, Fluorine, Gadolinium, Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine,    Indium, Iridium, Iron, Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury,    Molybdenum, Neodymium, Nickel, Niobium, Palladium, Platinum,    Praseodymium, Rhenium, Rhodium, Rubidium, Ruthenium, Samarium,    Scandium, Selenium, Silver, Strontium, Sulfur, Tantalum, Terbium,    Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium, Thulium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten,    Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc, Zirconium.

EXAMPLE 2 Nutritional Granola Bar

Component % w/w Thick Rolled Oats 34.00 Sugar 15.00 Wheat Germ 10.00Coconut 10.00 Honey 10.00 Silvered Almonds 7.00 Arabic FT Powder 6.00Water 7.00 Dry Mineral Element Composition of Table I 1.00Procedure:

-   1. Dry-blend all ingredients except water, honey and Arabic FT    powder.-   2. Mix the Arabic FT powder in water and honey.-   3. Add the gum slurry to the dry blended ingredients and mold into    desired shape.-   4. Bake the mixture until oats are toasted to a light brown (about    eight minutes at 300-320° F.)-   5. Roll the baked bars and pack.

Mineral content of 1 Kilo of the Nutritional Granola Bar delivers noless than 1 ppm of Macro Minerals consisting of a blend of Calcium,Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium,and no less that 0.0001 ppm of Micro Minerals consisting of a blend ofAluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine,Cadmium, Cerium, Cesium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium,Europium, Fluorine, Gadolinium, Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine, Indium,Iridium, Iron, Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury, Molybdenum,Neodymium, Nickel, Niobium, Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium,Rhodium, Rubidium, Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver,Strontium, Sulfur, Tantalum, Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium,Thulium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc,Zirconium.

EXAMPLE 3 High Protein-Mineral Instant Drink Composition

Component % w/w Cocoa 13.00 Vanillin 0.50 Non-Fat Dry Milk 13.70 Sugar50.00 Lecithin 1.00 Soy Isolate 20.00 Dry Mineral Element Composition ofTable I 1.00 Gum Arabic Spray Dry 0.80Procedure:

-   1. Dry-blend the ingredients above:-   2. 1 ounce per 8 ounces of cold milk using blend-   3. Pack and preserve at 5-8° C. for use within 24 hours.    Mineral content of 1 Liter of High Protein-Mineral Instant Drink    Composition delivers no less than ppm of Macro Minerals consisting    of a blend of Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous,    Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, and no less that 0.0001 ppm of Micro    Minerals consisting of a blend of Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic,    Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium, Cerium, Cesium,    Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Fluorine,    Gadolinium, Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine, Indium, Iridium, Iron,    Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury, Molybdenum, Neodymium,    Nickel, Niobium, Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium,    Rhodium, Rubidium, Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver,    Strontium, Sulfur, Tantalum, Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium,    Thulium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium,    Zinc, Zirconium.

EXAMPLE 4 Effervescent Tablet Mineral Composition

Component Weight Tableting aids 85.00 mg Sodium Bicarbonate 10.00 mgCitric Acid 4.0 mg Dry Mineral Element Composition of Table I 1.00 mgProcedure:Blend and tablet press.Mineral content of 500 mg Effervescent Tablet Mineral Composition in 8ounces of water delivers no less than one ppm of Macro Mineralsconsisting of a blend of Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese,Phosphorous, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, and no less that 0.0001 ppm ofMicro Minerals consisting of a blend of Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic,Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium, Cerium, Cesium,Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Fluorine,Gadolinium, Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine, Indium, Iridium, Iron,Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury, Molybdenum, Neodymium,Nickel, Niobium, Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium, Rhodium,Rubidium, Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver, Strontium,Sulfur, Tantalum, Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium, Thulium, Tin,Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc, Zirconium.

EXAMPLE 5 Vitamin E Soft Gelatin Capsule (400 IU Vit. E), Size 7.5 Oval

mg/capsule Fill Material DL-Alpha Tocopheryl Aceate (1000 IU/g) 400 mgSoybean Oil 45 mg Beeswax 10 mg Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil 40 mg DryMineral Element Composition of Table 5 mg Dry Gelatin Material Gelatin66 mg Glycerin 20 mg Sorbitol 20 mg Water 10 mgProcedure:Compounding

-   1. Melt at 50-60° C. beeswax and the hydrogenated vegetable oil and    soybean oil.-   2. Mix and cool to 25-28° C., add Vitamin E and the Dry Mineral    Element Composition.-   3. Mix continuously before and during encapsulation.    Encapsulation-   1. Fill using an encapsulating machine to form a number 7.5 oval    capsule.-   2. Dry to a moisture content of 8-10%.    Mineral content of one liter of Vitamin E Soft Gelatin Capsule Fill    Material delivers no less than one ppm of Macro Minerals consisting    of a blend of Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous,    Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, and no less that 0.0001 ppm of Micro    Minerals consisting of a blend of Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic,    Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium, Cerium, Cesium,    Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Fluorine,    Gadolinium, Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine, Indium, Iridium, Iron,    Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury, Molybdenum, Neodymium,    Nickel, Niobium, Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium,    Rhodium, Rubidium, Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver,    Strontium, Sulfur, Tantalum, Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium,    Thulium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium,    Zinc, Zirconium.

EXAMPLE 6 Processed Food—Orange Juice

Component % w/w Fresh Orange Juice 98.80 Potassium Sorbate 0.15 VitaminE (Tocopherol) 0.05 Dry Mineral Element Composition of Table I 1.00Procedure:

-   1. Using suitable press equipment, squeeze orange juice-   2. Add and mix in Potassium Sorbate and Tocopherol-   3. Add and mix Mineral Composition-   4. Pack and chill at 5-8 C    Mineral content of one liter of Processed Orange Juice delivers no    less than one ppm of Macro Minerals consisting of a blend of    Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous, Potassium,    Silicon, Sodium, and no less that 0.0001 ppm of Micro Minerals    consisting of a blend of Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium,    Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium, Cerium, Cesium,    Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Fluorine,    Gadolinium, Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine, Indium, Iridium, Iron,    Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury, Molybdenum, Neodymium,    Nickel, Niobium, Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium,    Rhodium, Rubidium, Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver,    Strontium, Sulfur, Tantalum, Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium,    Thulium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium,    Zinc, Zirconium.

EXAMPLE 7 Beverage Additive—Powdered Concentrate Mineral Pack

Package ¼oz of the dry mineral element composition of Table I in foilpack.

Mixing the ¼oz of dry mineral element composition in the foil pack into12 ounces of any beverage including water delivers no less than one ppmof Macro Minerals consisting of a blend of Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium,Manganese, Phosphorous, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, and no less that0.0001 ppm of Micro Minerals consisting of a blend of Aluminum,Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium,Cerium, Cesium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium,Fluorine, Gadolinium, Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine, Indium, Iridium,Iron, Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury, Molybdenum,Neodymium, Nickel, Niobium, Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium,Rhodium, Rubidium, Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver,Strontium, Sulfur, Tantalum, Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium,Thulium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc,Zirconium.

In the area of topical application and delivery of minerals, there isgrowing evidence that transdermal delivery could be the best route todeliver therapeutic agents, particularly metal drugs. There is alsogreat interest on skin for being the next frontier for better route ofdelivery of vitamins and minerals for improved systemic absorption andavailability. For example, studies at the Graduate School of Science andTechnology at Bond University in Australia demonstrated how thegastro-intestinal tract presents a significant barrier to the efficientabsorption of both orally administered and inject-able dietary essentialtrace minerals. Their studies indicate that presenting trace mineralswhich can penetrate the dermis permits their slow release from the skinwith more efficient (relative to incipient toxicity) systemic delivery.Examples are given of dermal application of copper, zinc, titanium,platinum and gold complexes to treat chronic inflammatory disease. Someof these compounds are also anti-cancer agents. Other studies havedemonstrated that skin penetration of minerals follow a pattern of organdistribution. The inventors believe that the mineral elementcompositions described herein can be an ideal multi-mineral product fordelivery through the skin qualifying as a unique composition thatdelivers a substantial natural balance of minerals to the surface of theskin or on stratum corneum for transdermal supplementation. A single ormultiple dosage for human and veterinary product application onto theskin would contain small concentrations of the mineral elementcompositions described herein and could be beneficial to health if usedin sub-toxic dosages.

An example of a transdermal product follows.

EXAMPLE 8 Transdermal Mineral Gel Composition

Ingredients Weight % Liquid mineral element composition of Table I q.s.to 100% Xanthan gum 0.30 Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether 12.00 Ethyloleate 2.00 Alcohol SDA 40 7.00Procedure:

-   1. Mix xantham gum in liquid mineral element composition using    propeller mixer.-   2. Add other ingredients one by one.    One Kilogram of Transdermal Mineral Gel Formula Composition will    deliver onto the stratum corneum no less than 1 ppm of Macro    Minerals consisting of a blend of Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium,    Manganese, Phosphorous, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, and no less that    0.0001 ppm of Micro Minerals consisting of a blend of Aluminum,    Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine,    Cadmium, Cerium, Cesium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium,    Erbium, Europium, Fluorine, Gadolinium, Gold, Hafnium, Holmium,    Iodine, Indium, Iridium, Iron, Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Lutetium,    Mercury, Molybdenum, Neodymium, Nickel, Niobium, Palladium,    Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium, Rhodium, Rubidium, Ruthenium,    Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver, Strontium, Sulfur, Tantalum,    Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium, Thulium, Tin, Titanium,    Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc, Zirconium, to be    absorbed and bioavailable selectively by skin as it is delivered    transdermally.

The resulting aqueous solutions from the mineral element composition arehighly acidic. Preparation of acidic mineral element solutions canuseful, particularly for the personal care industry.

An example of a low pH composition follows:

EXAMPLE 9

Water—100% as supplied through the process of reverse osmosis

pH=5.7

EXAMPLE 10

Water: 95% by weight, as supplied through the process of reverse osmosisDry mineral element composition of Table I: 5% by weight

Mix water and mineral element composition together. The pH of theresulting aqueous solution is 3.0.

The mineral composition aqueous solution of Example 10 is substantiallynon-irritating to skin and eyes. Acidic solution will normally beirritating to open wounds. For example, aqueous solutions of glycolicacid with a pH=3.0 will sting or burn when applied or upon contact tofreshly shaven skin. The pH=3.0 aqueous solution of Example #10 causeslittle or no sting or burning when applied to freshly shaven skin.

In the area of personal care products, minerals have been the subject ofincreased importance. Minerals play an important role in skin structure.As examples, zinc plays an important antioxidant role necessary fordevelopment of new cells and cell turnover or cellular proliferation.Silicon has been studied for its role in the formation of collagen, theskin underlying support. Copper is important in keratinization and inthe 1production of enzymes. Selenium is important in maintaining skinelasticity. Minerals as used in baths, bath beads, mud treatments,masks, and facial mineral restoration products have been extensivelyused in the spa, salon, and retail cosmetic industry. “Dead Sea”minerals, colloidal minerals, and phyto-minerals have been usedextensively for beautification and therapeutic purposes. The inventorsbelieve that the mineral element composition described herein is novelfor formulating products for cosmetic beautification using conventionalprocedures known to those who practice the art.

Examples of cosmetic beautification products follow.

EXAMPLE 11 Mineral Mud Treatment Composition

Ingredient Weight % Water q.s. to 100% Xantham gum 0.50 Kaolin 20.00 DryMineral Element Composition 5.00Procedure: Mix above components together to form facial mud composition.Apply mud composition to skin.

EXAMPLE 12 Evian Facial Spray Composition

Ingredient Weight % Evian Water 95 Dry Mineral Element Composition ofTable I 5Procedure: Admix water and mineral composition to form spraycomposition. Apply spray composition to face to wet skin.

EXAMPLE 13 Soft Gel Gelatin Bath Beads Formula with Inner Fill MaterialConsisting Of

Ingredient Weight % Mineral Oil 40.00 Petrolatum 50.00 PolyethyleneGlycolq 3350 9.00 Dry Mineral Element Composition of Table I 1.00Procedure:Blend glycol, petrolatum, and mineral oil and add mineral elementcomposition. Heat the composition to sixty-five degrees C. and mix. Coolto thirty-five degrees C. before encapsulation. The compositionsprepared in Examples 11 to 13 will deliver no less than one ppm of MacroMinerals consisting of a blend of Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium,Manganese, Phosphorous, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, and no less that0.0001 ppm of Micro Minerals consisting of a blend of Aluminum,Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium,Cerium, Cesium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium,Fluorine, Gadolinium, Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine, Indium, Iridium,Iron, Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury, Molybdenum,Neodymium, Nickel, Niobium, Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium,Rhodium, Rubidium, Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver,Strontium, Sulfur, Tantalum, Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium,Thulium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc,Zirconium.

Skin proliferation, the rate at which cell are born at the basal layerand subsequently shed from the body after reaching the upper layers ofthe stratum corneum, is an important and dynamic function formaintaining healthy skin. For example, psoriatic patients suffer fromproliferation disorders as skin cells do not regenerate or desquamatenormally. Because minerals such as zinc and copper play a role in skinproliferation, they have been extensively studied for topicalapplication and have been shown to improve certain skin conditiondisorder. Skin proliferation disorders such as dandruff have also beenstudied with the use of minerals to bring about improvements.

Altering the rate of skin proliferation has been the mechanism by whichmany anti-aging skin care products are promoted. As skin ages the skinproliferation rate decreases, and stimulating cell renewal to a ratethat is closer to younger skin has proven to improve the generalappearance of skin. Ingredient such as retinoic acids, retinol and alphahydroxy acids (AHA's) are widely promoted on a global scale for theirability to increase cell turnover and promote younger looking skin.

For these reasons AHA's are a commonly added to skin care productsincluding moisturizers, cleanser, toners, and masks. AHA's are naturallyderived from fruit and milk sugars and synthetically made aspharmaceutical and cosmetic acidulant ingredient. They are used in skincare as ‘cosmeceutical’ or functional cosmetic ingredients.

The most commonly used AHA's are glycolic acid and lactic acid. AHA'swork mainly as an exfoliant of the skin. They cause the cells of theskin to become “unglued” allowing the dead skin cells at the surface ofthe skin to slough off, making room for re-growth of new skin. They alsoindirectly stimulate, through the process of irritation, the productionof new cells. They have been reported to improve wrinkling, roughness,and pigmentation on skin after long term application and have beenextensively studied.

AHA's as used in skin-care products work best at acidic pH's as it isthe free acid and not the neutralized or salt counterparts that havebeen found effective on the skin as exfoliants. Typically, a pH of 3-5is optimal when utilizing AHA's. As a result, two major side effects ofAHA's are irritation and sun sensitivity. Symptoms of irritation includeredness, burning, itching, pain, and possibly scarring. There are milderand other forms of exfoliants on the market today than AHA. Beta hydroxyacids such as salicylic acid have been reported to bring about skin cellturnover rate increases. Retinol (the alcohol form of retinoic acid) hasalso been extensively used.

It was unexpectedly found that the liquid mineral element compositionand the dry powder mineral element composition produced in accordancewith the invention, as well as solutions of the same, were able to causeskin to exfoliate. There appears to be no prior art suggesting anyanticipatory use of minerals as skin exfoliants or to affect cellrenewal.

Topical preparations that included the use of the mineral elementcompositions of the invention were observed to provide multiple skinbenefits. Among the benefits observed was mild exfoliation. Exfoliationwas subjectively measured by the ability of skin to be renewed afterseveral days of use, with some mild peeling depending on subject Skinwas observed as less sallow and more translucent. Product containing 5%by weight of the dry powdered mineral element composition of Table I inaqueous solution was observed to provide the maximum exfoliation effect.

Typically, AHA products become irritating after several days of use asthe skin becomes sensitized to low pH levels of these products.Comparatively, aqueous solutions including 5% by weight of the drymineral element composition of Table I at a pH of 3 demonstrated theability to exfoliate skin in a non-irritating manner.

It is therefore novel, at least for the mineral element compositionsderived by the extraction process described herein, that the mineralelement compositions can serve as a new class of cosmetic anddermatological ingredients of exfoliation with significantly lessadverse effects such as burning and irritation.

The use of the comprehensive mineral composition in topical over thecounter therapeutic products is believed to be beneficial to skindisorders ranging from severe dry skin to treatment of skin disorders.It is known that many macro and micro mineral elements play importantroles in treating skin disorders. For example, copper is essential forproduction of tyrosinase, an enzyme which is required for the productionof melanin for the activation of melanocytes which together withsunscreens protect the skin from UV by initiating tanning. As anotherexample, selenium can help in the treatment and prevention of dandruffand deficiency in the mineral can lead to appearance of premature aging.

It is believed that the comprehensive mineral compositions describedherein can be an ideal multi-mineral product for delivery on the skinqualifying as a unique composition that delivers a substantial naturalbalance of minerals in a single or multiple dosages for human andveterinary product consumption providing mild exfoliation effects:

Examples of additional skin care product compositions follow.

EXAMPLE 14 Exfoliant Cleanser Composition

Ingredient Weight % Liquid Mineral Element Composition of Table I q.s.to 100% TEA Cocoyl Glutamate 7.00 Glycerin 5.00 Decyl Glucoside 5.00Dimethicone Copolyol Phosphate 2.00 Preservatives and Fragrance 1.00Procedure:Blend each ingredient one at a time to produce final composition. Applyfinal composition to skin with or without water, gently rub compositioninto skin for at least 2 minutes, and rinse with water.One liter of Exfoliant Cleanser Composition delivers onto the stratumcorneum no less than one ppm of Macro Minerals consisting of a blend ofCalcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous, Potassium,Silicon, Sodium, and no less that 0.0001 ppm of Micro Mineralsconsisting of a blend of Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium,Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium, Cerium, Cesium, Chromium, Cobalt,Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Fluorine, Gadolinium, Gold,Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine, Indium, Iridium, Iron, Lanthanum, Lead,Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury, Molybdenum, Neodymium, Nickel, Niobium,Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium, Rhodium, Rubidium,Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver, Strontium, Sulfur,Tantalum, Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium, Thulium, Tin, Titanium,Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc, Zirconium

EXAMPLE 15 Suspended Minerals Exfoliant Scrub Composition

Ingredients Weight % Phase A Water q.s to 100% Propylene Glycol 5.00Phase B Hydrogenated Polyisobutene 10.00 Isopropyl Myristate 5.00Mineral Oil 3.00 PEG 100 Stearate & Glyceryl Monostearate 5.00Polysorbate 20 1.00 Beeswax 2.00 Phase C Preservatives and Fragrance1.00 Dry Mineral Element Composition of Table I 20.00Procedure:

-   1. Blend ingredients listed above under Phase A and heat to 75 C.-   2. Blend ingredients listed above under Phase B and heat to 77 C.-   3. Add Phase B to Phase A at 77 degrees C. and blend with propeller    mixer to produce intermediate composition.-   4. Cool intermediate composition to 40 C, and add ingredients listed    above under Phase C to intermediate composition one ingredient at a    time to produce final composition.-   5. Cool final composition to 25 C. Apply final composition to skin    with or without water, gently rub composition into skin for at least    one minute, and rinse with water to exfoliate skin.    One liter of Suspended Minerals Exfoliant Scrub Composition delivers    onto the stratum corneum no less than one ppm of Macro Minerals    consisting of a blend of Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese,    Phosphorous, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, and no less that 0.0001 ppm    of Micro Minerals consisting of a blend of Aluminum, Antimony,    Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium,    Cerium, Cesium, Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium,    Europium, Fluorine, Gadolinium, Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine,    Indium, Iridium, Iron, Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury,    Molybdenum, Neodymium, Nickel, Niobium, Palladium, Platinum,    Praseodymium, Rhenium, Rhodium, Rubidium, Ruthenium, Samarium,    Scandium, Selenium, Silver, Strontium, Sulfur, Tantalum, Terbium,    Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium, Thulium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten,    Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc, Zirconium

EXAMPLE 16 Under Make-Up Moisturizer Composition

Ingredients Weight % Liquid Mineral Element Composition of Table I q.s.to 100% Glycerin 5.00 Xanthan Gum 1.00 Aloe Vera Gel 1.00 HyaluronicAcid 0.50 Preservatives and Fragrance 1.00Procedure:Blend ingredients together sequentially one at a time. Begin by blendingglycerin with the liquid mineral element composition.One Liter of Under Make-up Moisturizer Composition will deliver onto thestratum corneum no less than one ppm of Macro Minerals consisting of ablend of Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous,Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, and no less that 0.0001 ppm of MicroMinerals consisting of a blend of Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium,Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium, Cerium, Cesium, Chromium,Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Fluorine, Gadolinium,Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine, Indium, Iridium, Iron, Lanthanum, Lead,Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury, Molybdenum, Neodymium, Nickel, Niobium,Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium, Rhodium, Rubidium,Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver, Strontium, Sulfur,Tantalum, Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium, Thulium, Tin, Titanium,Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc, Zirconium

EXAMPLE 17 Preservative-Free Cell Regenerative Gel Composition

Ingredient Weight % Liquid Mineral Composition of Table I q.s. to 100%Xanthan Gum 1.0Procedure:Blend ingredients together at room temperature to form composition.One Kilo of Cell Regenerative Gel Composition will deliver onto thestratum corneum no less than one ppm of Macro Minerals consisting of ablend of Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous,Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, and no less that 0.0001 ppm of MicroMinerals consisting of a blend of Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium,Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium, Cerium, Cesium, Chromium,Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Fluorine, Gadolinium,Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine, Indium, Iridium, Iron, Lanthanum, Lead,Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury, Molybdenum, Neodymium, Nickel, Niobium,Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium, Rhodium, Rubidium,Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver, Strontium, Sulfur,Tantalum, Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium, Thulium, Tin, Titanium,Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc, Zirconium

EXAMPLE 18 Dandruff Shampoo Composition

Ingredient Weight % Liquid Mineral Element Composition of Table I q.s.to 100% Sodium Lauryl Sulphate 20.00 DEA Lauryl Sulphate 2.00 CocamideDEA 2.00 Glycol Distearate 1.00 Preservatives and Fragrance 1.00 ZincPyrithione 2.00Procedure:Blend ingredients together one at a time at 55 C. Begin by blendingsodium lauryl sulphate with the liquid mineral composition. Use thefinal composition by wetting hair and apply a small amount in the samemanner that conventional shampoos are applied. Then rinse with water.Before rinsing, allow the final composition to contact the scalp for atleast one minute. One Liter of Dandruff Shampoo Composition will deliveronto the stratum corneum no less than one ppm of Macro Mineralsconsisting of a blend of Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese,Phosphorous, Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, and no less that 0.0001 ppm ofMicro Minerals consisting of a blend of Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic,Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium, Cerium, Cesium,Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Fluorine,Gadolinium, Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine, Indium, Iridium, Iron,Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury, Molybdenum, Neodymium,Nickel, Niobium, Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium, Rhodium,Rubidium, Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver, Strontium,Sulfur, Tantalum, Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium, Thulium, Tin,Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc, Zirconium

EXAMPLE 19 Psoriatic Cream Composition

Component Weight % Phase A Liquid Mineral Element Composition of Table Iq.s. to 100% Propylene Glycol 2.0 Hydroxyethyl cellulose 10 Phase BIsopropyl Palmitate 5.0 Petrolatum 5.0 Polowax 4.0 Phase C Coal TarSolution 10.00Procedure:

-   1. Blend together the components listed above under Phase A and heat    to 75 degrees C. to produce the Phase A composition.-   2. Blend together the components listed above under Phase B and heat    to 77 degrees C. to produce the Phase B composition.-   3. Combine the Phase A and Phase B compositions and mix with a    propeller mixer to produce an intermediate composition.-   4. Cool the intermediate composition to 40 degrees C., and add to    the intermediate composition one at a time the components listed    above under Phase C to produce the final composition.-   5. Cool the final composition from 40 degrees C. to 25 degrees C.    Apply the final composition to the dermis by gently rubbing small    amounts into the dermis and allowing the final composition to remain    on the dermis.    One Liter of Psoriatic Cream Composition will deliver onto the    stratum corneum no less than one ppm of Macro Minerals consisting of    a blend of Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous,    Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, and no less that 0.0001 ppm of Micro    Minerals consisting of a blend of Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic,    Barium, Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium, Cerium, Cesium,    Chromium, Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Fluorine,    Gadolinium, Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine, Indium, Iridium, Iron,    Lanthanum, Lead, Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury, Molybdenum, Neodymium,    Nickel, Niobium, Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium,    Rhodium, Rubidium, Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver,    Strontium, Sulfur, Tantalum, Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium,    Thulium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium,    Zinc, Zirconium.

Also unexpected in terms of skin care benefits was the ability of theliquid mineral element composition of Table I to minimize excess oil,minimize pore size, and balance skin tone both during application andover extended periods of time, this indicating that the mineral elementcomposition was possibly affecting regulation of sebaceous glands.

EXAMPLE 20 Antibacterial Exfoliant Toner Composition

Ingredient Weight Percent Liquid Mineral Element Composition of Table Iq.s. to 100% Hydroxyethyl cellulose 1.00 Ethyl Alcohol 62.00Procedure:Blend ingredient together one at a time at room temperature to producethe exfoliant toner formula composition. Apply the resulting compositionby gently rubbing a small amount into the dermis for about thirtyseconds. Then rinse dermis to remove any remaining composition. Oneliter of Antibacterial Exfoliant Toner Composition will deliver onto thestratum corneum no less than one ppm of Macro Minerals consisting of ablend of Calcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous,Potassium, Silicon, Sodium, and no less that 0.0001 ppm of MicroMinerals consisting of a blend of Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium,Beryllium, Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium, Cerium, Cesium, Chromium,Cobalt, Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Fluorine, Gadolinium,Gold, Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine, Indium, Iridium, Iron, Lanthanum, Lead,Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury, Molybdenum, Neodymium, Nickel, Niobium,Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, 1Rhenium, Rhodium, Rubidium,Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver, Strontium, Sulfur,Tantalum, Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium, Thulium, Tin, Titanium,Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc, Zirconium

EXAMPLE 21 Acne Liquid Composition

Component Weight % Liquid Mineral Element Composition of Table I q.s. to100% Diethylene Glycol Monoethyl Ether 10 Salicylic Acid 2Procedure:Blend ingredients together one at a time at room temperature. Begin byblending liquid mineral element composition with the ether. Apply theresulting composition by gently rubbing into the dermis for at leastthirty seconds and then rinsing to remove excess composition.One liter of Acne Liquid Composition will deliver onto the stratumcorneum no less than one ppm of Macro Minerals consisting of a blend ofCalcium, Chlorine, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorous, Potassium,Silicon, Sodium, and no less that 0.0001 ppm of Micro Mineralsconsisting of a blend of Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Beryllium,Bismuth, Boron, Bromine, Cadmium, Cerium, Cesium, Chromium, Cobalt,Copper, Dysprosium, Erbium, Europium, Fluorine, Gadolinium, Gold,Hafnium, Holmium, Iodine, Indium, Iridium, Iron, Lanthanum, Lead,Lithium, Lutetium, Mercury, Molybdenum, Neodymium, Nickel, Niobium,Palladium, Platinum, Praseodymium, Rhenium, Rhodium, Rubidium,Ruthenium, Samarium, Scandium, Selenium, Silver, Strontium, Sulfur,Tantalum, Terbium, Tellurium, Thallium, Thorium, Thulium, Tin, Titanium,Tungsten, Vanadium, Ytterbium, Yttrium, Zinc, Zirconium

The process described herein for producing a comprehensive mineralcomposition has no waste products. The process does have residual washwater extract that s utilized on an organic farm to reconstituteminerals as part of a soil depletion restoration program. Theagricultural applications and product by process for agricultural useclaims should be covered.

The following example describes a tablet that can be produced foradministration by placing the tablet under an individual's tongue andallowing the tablet to dissolve or by placing the tablet in theindividual's mouth against the inner cheek and allowing the tablet todissolve.

EXAMPLE 22 Buccal or Sublingual Mineral Tablet

Ingredient Weight in mg Dry Mineral Element Composition of Table I 2.0Lactose 86.0 Sucrose 87.0 Acacia 10.0 Microcrystalline cellulose 6.0Magnesium stearate 1.0 Purified water q.s.Procedure:

-   1. Pass the first four ingredients listed above through a 60 mesh    screen and blend to produce a first intermediate composition.-   2. Moisten the intermediate composition with sufficient water to    produce a relatively stiff mass.-   3. Pass the stiff mass through a number 8 screen to produce a second    intermediate composition.-   4. Dry the second intermediate composition at 40 degrees C.-   5. Pass the dried second intermediate composition through a number    16 screen to produce a third intermediate composition.-   6. Blend the third intermediate composition with the    microcrystalline cellulose and the magnesium stearate to produce a    fourth intermediate composition.-   7. Use a heavy-duty tablet press to compress the fourth intermediate    composition into tablets each weight 200 mg.    Administer each tablet by placing the tablet in an individual's    mouth under the tongue or adjacent the inside of the cheek and by    allowing the tablet to dissolve slowly.

EXAMPLE 23 Mineral Enriched Shampoo

Ingredient Weight % Water q.s. to 100% Liquid Mineral ElementComposition of Table I 10.0 TEA Lauryl Sulphate 10.0 Sodium LaurylSulphate 25.0 Cocomide DEA 2.0 Preservatives, colorants, fragrance 2.0Procedure:Admix all ingredients and heat to sixty (60) degrees C. with moderatemixing for five minutes and cool to room temperature.

As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, compositions canalso be prepared that can be applied by placing the composition in aneye or in the nose of an individual or animal.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for treating a clay soil, a mixture ofclay soils, or a mixture of clay soils and leonardite, consisting of,one acid treatment step, a settling step, a separating step, and aconcentrating step, wherein the one acid treatment step consists ofadmixing a clay soil, a mixture of clay soils, or a mixture of claysoils and leonardite, with water in an amount at least two times theweight of the soil and an acid to produce a water-acid-soil slurry,wherein the amount of acid is 0.25% to 7.5% of the weight of the water;wherein the settling step consists of allowing solids from thewater-acid-soil slurry to settle; wherein the separating step consistsof separating the liquid of the water-acid-soil slurry from the settledsolids wherein the solids comprise substantially all of the silica andaluminum from the clay soil, mixture of clay soils, or mixture of claysoils and leonardite; and wherein the concentrating step consists ofconcentrating the separated liquid to form a liquid extracted mineralelement composition comprising a lower amount of silica and aluminumthan the clay soil, a mixture of clay soils, or a mixture of clay soilsand leonardite.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the water is purifiedby reverse osmosis.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pH of theextracted mineral element composition is less than 4.5.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the acid is an edible acid.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein the edible acid is citric acid.
 6. The method of claim 4,wherein the edible acid is phosphoric acid.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising drying the concentrated liquid to form a dryextracted mineral element composition.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereindrying comprises spray drying the liquid extracted mineral elementcomposition.